Chapter 85: Yukima Azuma Feels Incredibly Happiness
"So, he used 18 billion yen just to prepare some household items?"
Shinomiya Kaguya gently traced her finger along the rim of her cup.
Shortly after their first meeting, Shinomiya Kaguya had ordered a thorough investigation into Yukima Azuma's background.
Of course, she also learned about Yukima Azuma earning 18.2 billion yen from film investments.
This was a figure large enough to draw the attention of the Shinomiya Corporation.
Particularly with the short investment cycle and the rapid return on profit.
When she learned this, Shinomiya Kaguya was deeply astonished.
This only strengthened her determination to recruit Yukima Azuma.
Shinomiya Kaguya was someone who, once she set her mind on something, would see it through to the end.
No matter what obstacles she faced, she would find a way to overcome them until she achieved her goal.
"At the moment, that's all he's done so far."
Hayasaka Ai lowered her head.
Due to the guilt in her heart, she didn't dare look Shinomiya Kaguya in the eye.
Clearly, what Yukima Azuma was involved in was insignificant compared to the Shinomiya Corporation.
But Hayasaka Ai still chose to conceal the truth.
Because she and her mother shared the same belief.
That person.
That young man was far superior to the three sons of the Shinomiya family she had met.
His future wouldn't stop here. One day, he might grow to the point of posing a real threat to the Shinomiya Corporation.
As for her, ever since Hayasaka Nao made her choice, there was no turning back.
Fortunately, even if Yukima Azuma truly became unpredictable in the future, at most, he would only affect a few sectors of the Shinomiya Corporation.
And those sectors weren't particularly relevant to Shinomiya Kaguya's future.
Thinking this, Hayasaka Ai felt a lot more at ease.
The rest of the Shinomiya family might not matter to her.
But Shinomiya Kaguya was someone she didn't want to betray.
Lifting her teacup, Shinomiya Kaguya took a sip of black tea and smiled faintly.
"There's no other way. That's the extent of his vision, but even so, it's already impressive."
"With a bit of guidance, he'll undoubtedly become a qualified assistant. There's no doubt about that."
"He's studying at Toyogasaki, isn't he? Next semester, let Shuchiin send him an exchange invitation."
Hayasaka Ai opened her mouth to say something but hesitated.
In the end, she simply nodded.
The student exchange program.
This was a special program existing only between the three top private schools.
In the second half of each academic year, students from Toyogasaki Private Academy, Shuchiin Private Academy, and Hyakkaou Private Academy could apply to study as exchange students at the other two schools.
Simultaneously, the schools could also directly invite a specific student for the exchange program.
However, the latter case was exceedingly rare.
....
Yukima House
Today wasn't the weekend, but Yukima Azuma had taken a leave of absence from school.
As soon as he got home, he saw three pairs of neatly arranged small leather shoes at the door.
Peeking into the living room, he saw Kasumigaoka, Eriri, and Kato Megumi sitting properly on the sofa.
"I'm back."
"Welcome home." x3
After changing into house slippers, Yukima Azuma curiously stepped into the living room.
"What's going on? Is today some special occasion?"
Eriri shot him a glare.
"The day after tomorrow is the official release of White Album, and you're not even a little nervous?!"
Hearing that, Yukima Azuma finally understood why the three girls were gathered.
"Relax. I've already spent a ton of money on advertising. If it doesn't sell, I'll just hunt down the advertisers and demand refunds!"
Yukima Azuma said with a shrug.
Upon hearing this, the three girls could only shake their heads helplessly.
How should they put it?
Yukima Azuma's words really ruined the atmosphere.
But they had to admit.
Such statements were far more reassuring than something like, "Our game is definitely flawless," or other overly optimistic lines that ignored objective reality.
His words somehow instilled a strange sense of confidence.
"Anyway, let's do one last check of the game."
Kato Megumi suggested.
Yukima Azuma, of course, had no reason to refuse.
Kasumigaoka and Eriri also nodded in agreement.
Thus, the four of them sat down together.
(Yukima Azuma in the middle, Kasumigaoka on his right, Kato Megumi on his left, and Eriri—somehow pushed aside—sat sulking behind him.)
Grabbing the mouse, Yukima Azuma opened the visual novel under the watchful eyes of the three girls.
The feeling was a bit strange.
It was like being in the middle of a happy ending without realizing it.
However, Yukima Azuma quickly focused and took the game seriously.
After all, this was everyone's hard work.
Eriri's illustrations were truly exceptional.
The characters on the screen were vivid and lifelike, making players involuntarily fall in love with them.
Kasumigaoka's script was top-notch as well.
Though Yukima Azuma had provided the original storyline,
The dialogue in the game ignited emotional sparks within players, perfectly aligning with the plot.
It truly achieved the goal of using words to spark genuine feelings.
The game had about eight hours of content.
Yukima Azuma played for two hours before stopping.
Behind him, Eriri, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly let out an audible growl from her stomach.
"You're even greedier than Shiratamaru," Kasumigaoka Utaha teased as she glanced at Eriri.
"This is just a natural bodily response! It's not like I can control it!" Eriri retorted, her face turning red with anger.
Yukima Azuma pressed the pause button.
"If even we, the creators, are so engrossed in this game, there's no way it'll fail."
"Now then, let's address a more pressing issue. No matter how good a game is, it can't substitute for a proper meal, right?"
The three girls nodded in unison, wholeheartedly agreeing.
"I want char siu!"
Eriri was the first to raise her hand.
"I want noodle soup."
Kasumigaoka voiced her directive.
Yukima Azuma turned to Kato Megumi.
"I'm fine with anything."
Kato Megumi, as always, was easygoing.
"Alright then, let's make mixed ramen with char siu," Yukima Azuma concluded.
Mixed ramen, also known as "hotpot noodles," is typically made with ingredients like pork, pork blood, fish balls, radish, and noodles soaked in broth. The dish is topped off with a ladle of hot soup.
In some places, pork intestines are added for extra flavor.
Yukima Azuma began preparing the noodles at the stove, with Kato Megumi efficiently assisting him.
Meanwhile, Kasumigaoka and Eriri simply sat and watched.
As the water began to boil, Yukima Azuma casually brought up the topic of midterm exams.
"Speaking of which, how's everyone doing with studying? The midterms come right after the summer Comiket."
"Kirisu-sensei mentioned that if you don't meet the passing standards this time, you'll have to attend supplementary classes throughout the summer."
The reactions from the three girls varied.
"Azuma-kun, who do you think I am? Exams at that level—I can pass them with my eyes closed."
Kasumigaoka scoffed, her gaze shifting to Eriri sitting nearby.
"As for a certain half-British someone, how's your English? I feel like the British blood in you is crying out in anguish at its owner's incompetence."
Eriri froze in place, completely stunned.
Summer school?
She hadn't even heard of such a thing!
Her precious summer vacation—how could it possibly be wasted on remedial classes?
The fear of supplementary classes overwhelmed her, leaving her unable to muster a retort to Kasumigaoka's taunts.
"Help me!"
Eriri looked at Yukima Azuma with pleading eyes.
Yukima Azuma could only sigh, rubbing his forehead.
"Alright, after the summer Comiket, I'll tutor you."
With that, he turned to Kato Megumi.
"And how about you, Megumi?"
Kato Megumi said nothing.
Though she didn't reply, Yukima Azuma, who understood her well, could sense her unease.
"In short, after the summer event, Megumi, you'll need to show up on time for study sessions too."
Yukima Azuma made his decision.
Kasumigaoka finally realized something wasn't quite right.
Her slender legs, encased in black stockings, began tapping restlessly against the wooden floor.
Was she being excluded because she was good at studying?
No, the real issue seemed to be her grade level.
"Kirisu-sensei is upstairs, asking her to tutor would definitely be more effective,"
Kasumigaoka quickly came up with an idea.
Eriri glared at Kasumigaoka in frustration.
That fat woman.
If she couldn't get her way, she'd sabotage everything, right?
"If they could understand Kirisu-sensei's lectures, they wouldn't be in this situation."
"Eriri, go upstairs and call Kirisu-sensei down for dinner."
Yukima Azuma reluctantly made the decision, using the moment to change the topic.
Hearing this, Eriri quickly ran up the stairs.
No tutoring session for that fat woman, good!
When she reached the door with the nameplate "Kirisu Mafuyu" hanging on it, Eriri knocked.
"Kirisu-sensei, come down for dinner!"
There was a sound of movement inside, followed by Kirisu Mafuyu's voice.
"Okay, Sawamura-san, I know. You go ahead, I'll be out soon!"
Upon hearing this, Eriri turned and hurried back down the stairs.
As she descended, she became curious.
Thinking about it, she had been here for three weekends and never seen inside Kirisu's room.
Every time she called her down for dinner, it was just a few words like that, and then Kirisu Mafuyu would come out alone.
She only stayed cooped up in her room during the weekends.
How strange!
Was she perhaps doing some kind of ritual, summoning demons?
However, Eriri quickly pushed the thought aside.
After all, it wasn't Yukima Azuma, so she didn't care too much.
When Eriri returned to the ground floor, Kirisu Mafuyu opened her room door, peeked out to check if anyone was around, and then quickly stepped out, dressed neatly in her office attire.
She immediately closed the door and locked it.
Once everything was settled, she breathed a sigh of relief and started walking toward the stairs.
....
Making fresh char siu would take too long.
Yukima Azuma had already prepared several portions a few days earlier.
The dish for that day was already prepared, and the rest was vacuum-sealed and stored in the fridge.
Now, he just needed to take it out and reheat it a little before serving.
The ramen, looking delicious, was placed on the dining table.
Yukima Azuma also brought out a plate of pre-sliced char siu.
Before he could place it on the table, Eriri dashed over and snatched a piece.
However, it was still too hot, so she kept switching hands, finally shoving it into her mouth in haste.
Yukima Azuma knocked her on the head, ordering her to wash her hands again.
"Aho Baka."
Kasumigaoka commented helplessly.
Everyone at the table laughed.
Though a bit impolite, the atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
In fact, outside of Yukima Azuma's house, Eriri would never act in such an impolite manner.
After all, she was a young lady from a diplomat family.
As for Kasumigaoka, Kato Megumi, and Kirisu Mafuyu, none of them would usually laugh or take things lightly when someone handled they food like this.
But in Yukima Azuma's home, everyone just shared a few jokes and continued enjoying their meal happily.
Yukima Azuma felt incredibly happiness.